Southington assault case could be headed to higher court

SOUTHINGTON - The case against a local man accused of ruthlessly beating a woman last month could be transferred to a higher court based on the brutality of the assault.

Lucas Calvo, 25, of 410 Berlin St., learned of the possible transfer during a hearing Wednesday in Bristol Superior Court. Court officials said the case against him is being screened to determine if it is a Part A matter - the most serious kind in criminal cases in Connecticut.

Should it be deemed a Part A case, the matter will be heard in New Britain Superior Court, as Bristol does not typically handle those proceedings. Calvo will learn on his next court date, on April 28, where his case will be prosecuted.

He is facing charges of first-degree assault with disfigurement, attempted first-degree assault with disfigurement, second-degree assault and intentional cruelty to persons. State prosecutors enhanced the charges after receiving additional information about the victim’s injuries, which has not been released.

Calvo, who is being held on $400,000 bond, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

He was arrested March 1 after police were called to the Days Inn hotel, at 30 Laning St., because Calvo was allegedly refusing to pay his bill.

According to the police report, officers then went to Calvo’s room and they found a woman in one of the beds. There was blood all over the comforter, and the woman had dried blood on her face and hair, the report continued. Her eyes were so badly bruised and swollen that they were completely shut. She also had a laceration above her left eye and dried blood in her ear canals.

Both Calvo and the victim told police she had sustained the injuries by falling in the room. According to police, the woman later opened up to officers about the incident, saying Calvo had punched her two times the night before and has beaten her in the past.

The woman was treated at the trauma center at Hartford Hospital, where she needed stitches to repair serious facial injuries. She underwent a number of X-rays and CAT scans - the results of which have not been disclosed.

Justin Muszynski can be reached at 860-973-1809 or at jmuszynski@centralctcommunications.com.